Real stories

Using my experience to educate bus drivers about dementia

I was a bus driver for 19 years and several times, I recall seeing passengers who obviously had dementia and were struggling to work out where they were or what was happening.

For instance, a lady used to regularly get on the bus in Billericay at 9pm in the evening with her shopping trolley. 

I had to spend time persuading her it was the evening, not 9am.

Chance to raise dementia awareness

It was quite random how the leaflet came about. I saw an advert about an older man on a bus at the end of a journey. The driver tells him to get off and he’s not got a clue where he is.

I thought to myself, ‘That could easily happen.’ 

I also thought about it happening to my partner Margaret, who has dementia.

It’s hard as a driver. You haven’t got much time, you’ve got a timetable to stick to and it’s difficult to know what to do with someone who’s very confused.

Supporting Alzheimer’s Society

We like to get involved with Society activities when we can.

We were involved in a chat about how local businesses can be more helpful to people with dementia, so I suggested bus companies.

I mentioned the advert and talked about my experience as a driver, and it went from there.

Michelle Burrows, Service User Involvement Officer at the Society, got in touch with First Bus – the company I used to drive for – and one thing led to another. 

The result is a leaflet to help drivers recognise the signs of dementia and offer support.

Both Margaret and I contributed, and we’re proud to see how well it has turned out. It’s amazing what’s come from a little chat!

The leaflet has advice on dealing with lost or confused passengers. It tells drivers to follow procedures, which is great because it means they can’t just abandon someone. If it only helps one person that would be a great thing.

I’d love to see advice like this rolled out – it could even be used for local taxi firms, for example.

Speak out about dementia

I’d encourage people to speak out and get involved with making a change. Not only will you help other people, but you’ll also do yourself the world of good.

Margaret is now bedbound, so as her carer I’m at home most of the time. Contributing to the leaflet and doing things like this is great. It gives me purpose.

If you can use your knowledge to help others, it will make you feel good and help make a change to society, even if it’s tiny.

The more you do, the more you find, the more it makes you feel good.